I would post actual links to pages I reference, but my account is new so I can't yet. just paste what I have there at the end of the Paranatural website url, i guess...

Anyway, Francisco's feet are never shown in any of his appearances in the comic. If he has feet, they are either off panel or covered by his robe like in the seventh panel here:

/comic/chapter-5-page-6

Here, he is seen seated in such a way that it would seem he has knees, but this could be a spectral energy trick or something:

/comic/chapter-4-page-63

Although, Ed and Isaac didn't know the ghost train hobo was a ghost until he disappeared, so we might say that there are at least some ghosts that don't have spectral energy tails for legs. (Ed and Isaac would have noticed the tail and figured out that he was a ghost.)

/index.php?id=297

We also have yet to see Francisco wearing anything other than that white robe, holding anything that isn't possessed, or talking to any non-spectrals.

Being dead could also very well be the reason Francisco is retired from the Consortium, since ghosts can't sleep and therefore can't visit the dream hub.

I'm pretty convinced, what do you think?

I've seen the theory floating around and I'm pretty convinced...

This page in particular has some hints at it with Francisco saying "I'm not trapped" and we know ghosts can pass through the barrier (though I guess he could have some other obscure way of getting through). And Zarei saying "lose your social life too" probably alluding to him having lost his life...

Haven't thought of the ghosts not being able to dream bit though, that's a great point.

Hum. That is an interesting theory. But there is also the possibility that he is human, and just happens to only do things ghosts could also do when he's on panel. (Imagines him dancing off-panel, lifting up his robes and kicking his legs.)

Either way, there's some weight to that theory, but not enough solid evidence for me to be completely convinced. (Is skeptical)

[I am very sleepy right now please don't put too much weight in what I say.]

I think someone's mentioned that before around here, but I don't remember where--and yeah I don't recall hearing the not-being-able-to-dream bit as part of it.

I'm of the opinion that theory is right, especially because of the aforementioned "lose your social life too" that Zarei says.  It's a really cool one; I like it.

It would make sense that he's a ghost, (that bit of dialogue is a very strong bit of evidence) but I am stubbornly refusing to make a decision whether he is or not. I'll wait for when Zack decides to reveal the truth. *is obstinate.*

He is in a state of being both alive and dead untill we can directly observe his ghostness factor... He is Schrödinger's ghost...

Verily!

That dialogue about his social life and him not being trapped is a very good point, I didn't think of that. Also, when Isabel explains that some ghosts can use tools and still last a long time, she may be talking about her knowledge of Francisco. We know he doesn't like tools for fighting purposes, but that doesn't mean he NEVER uses them. He had the umbrella in his possession before it was needed, and he said he "yet had plans for [eightfold]" (ghostly wallpaper changes or something idk), and it seems he would have kept the plunger if it had been red.

Huh. I thought Isabelle had just gathered that knowledge through general experience, but it does make sense that she would know due to her grandfather if her grandfather was a (powerful) ghost. But we still don't know for sure (though it does seem increasingly likely) whether he actually is a ghost or not. There was that ghost student of his...

If he is revealed to be a ghost, I reckon that he died during the Event 13 years ago.

And if he's been smart about it this could mean Isabel doesn't know he's a ghost.

Oh, that could be interesting!

Especially if it's revealed in some appropriately dramatic, plot-y manner at an unexpected/the worst possible moment. Should have some fairly interesting repercussions.

(Is it just me or did I spell "repercussions" wrong?)